What makes this role exciting
The energy sector is rapidly evolving, offering exciting new opportunities for those who want to make a difference.
The Advisor will play a key role in supporting the design and negotiation of the IESO's reliability services contracts, the development of future procurements for regulation services and any other procurements and programs that may be developed in the future to support evolving system needs.
This role is exciting because it sits at the centre of Ontario's rapidly evolving energy sector, where decisions made today directly shape the reliability, affordability, and sustainability of the electricity system. As an Advisor you'll support high-impact procurement initiatives that bring new reliability services like frequency regulation, black start ands reactive power and voltage support to the grid operation. The role offers a rare blend of strategic influence, technical depth, and commercial innovation, with opportunities to work on complex, province-wide initiatives. You will collaborate with industry participants, legal advisors, consultants, and internal experts to develop innovative contracting solutions that secure critical reliability services for Ontario's electricity system. This role provides unique exposure to reliability service contracting, commercial negotiations, market design, financial analysis, and procurement strategy, allowing you to directly influence how essential grid reliability services are acquired and delivered. For candidates interested in combining analytical, financial, contractual, and strategic work, this position offers a unique opportunity to help shape the future of Ontario's electricity market while working on some of the sector's most visible and impactful initiatives.
What you'll do
In this role, you'll make a meaningful impact by contributing to the IESO team and supporting the electricity needs of the province through:
1. Analysis -evaluate and solve technical and commercial issues associated with projects, including both procurement and policy initiatives
2. Due Diligence - perform cost estimation (research, quotes, consultant reports), return analysis (financial modelling), and risk analysis (mitigate/contractually allocate risk)
3. Procurement design - help oversee the design of procurement mechanisms, strategies and processes appropriate for the type of procurement (standard offer, auction, competitive RFP, negotiation) and the type of resource being sought
4. Contract development - help lead the development of procurement documents, including program rules, request for proposals, and contracts. Help manage internal and external legal teams in drafting documents
5. Procurement administration - implement procurement processes, ensuring that all obligations are fulfilled in accordance with procurement/contract requirements, culminating in successful execution of contracts, and, as needed, manage assigned contractual obligations
6. Contract negotiations - support contract negotiations with counterparties, ensuring IESO and rate payer interests are upheld and IESO's reputation and professionalism are maintained
7. Support infrastructure - develop, manage, and enhance procurement initiative infrastructure, including procurement documents and reliability services website that will be used by the public to interact with IESO and as the main method of receiving reliability services content.
8. Stakeholder relations - engage internally with various business units (e.g., Planning, Legal Affairs, Markets, System Operations and the Enabling Resources Program team); externally with Government and its agencies, such as the Ministry of Energy and Mines, and with external stakeholders
9. External Resources - as required, source, secure and manage the work of external consultants (e.g., legal, economic, / technical, auditing, etc.)
10. Team Efforts - participate in project teams comprised of IESO staff and external staff, as required
11. Remain flexible and available to assist with other projects within the Department or in other IESO Departments
12. Perform other duties as required
Role Requirements
Our team consists of experts from diverse backgrounds, each bringing their unique perspectives and skills.
To succeed in this role, you'll need:
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including experience working with databases, large datasets, and quantitative analysis to identify trends, develop insights, and support evidence-based decision-making.
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and spreadsheet-based analysis, including complex formulas, pivot tables, financial modelling, scenario analysis, and data management techniques.
- Demonstrated financial and commercial acumen, including financial analysis, cost-benefit evaluation, risk assessment, and the assessment of procurement and contracting options.
- Strong writing and communication skills, including experience drafting and reviewing procurement documents, contracts, reports, presentations, and stakeholder-facing materials.
- Contract negotiation skills and the ability to support commercial discussions with counterparties and stakeholders.
- A sound understanding of competitive markets and the commercial drivers that influence participant behaviour; knowledge of Ontario electricity markets is considered an asset.
- Experience using business intelligence and data visualization tools such as Tableau is considered an asset.
- Experience developing and/or working with contracts related to complex energy, infrastructure, or commercial arrangements is an asset.
- Familiarity with Ontario electricity sector regulations, policies, and standards, or the ability to quickly develop regulatory expertise.
- Experience working within or alongside a regulated market environment is strongly preferred.
- Experience managing multiple workstreams, complex schedules, and competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- Strong stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to work effectively with internal teams, government agencies, market participants, Indigenous communities, and other external stakeholders.
- Highly collaborative, adaptable, and comfortable working in a dynamic and evolving environment.
- Self-motivated with a strong sense of ownership, accountability, and commitment to delivering results.
- Strategic mindset with the ability to align recommendations and decisions with organizational objectives, market needs, and policy direction.
- High levels of judgment, professionalism, and discretion when working with commercially sensitive information.
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The knowledge required for the job is considered to be normally acquired through the successful completion of a 4-year university education or the equivalent in a science, engineering, economics, math or business discipline.
The minimum level of experience required is 4-6 years of relevant experience, including experience in analysis, procurement, contracting, financial analysis, commercial evaluation, energy markets, or a related field.
Independent Electricity System Operator
1600-120 Adelaide Street West
Toronto
Ontario Canada
www.ieso.ca
